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Project Overview

Type of application: Amendment

Proponent name:

Allison Kean

Company:

Quark Expeditions

Schedule:

Start Date:

2018-08-31

End Date:

2018-09-16

Operation Type:

Annual

Project Description:

The Quark Canadian Arctic 2018 Expedition will operate with the m/v Ocean Adventurer (formerly Sea Adventurer) carrying a maximum of 110 passengers and a minimum of 18 staff (5 of them are either ornithologists or marine biologists), including a doctor. This gives us a staff to passenger ratio of 1:9. Many of our staff have 20-years, or more, experience working in the Canadian Arctic and other sensitive wildlife areas.
In addition to the ice-worthiness of our ships, seasoned captains, expedition teams and crew, Quark’s safety standards, training and equipment protocols are of utmost importance and in many cases set the standard for the industry. Quark is the only expedition cruise company awarded British Standard BS 8848.
Our own internal accreditation training programs cover Zodiac driving, navigation, VHF radio operation, operating in polar bear country and managing and handling lethal (firearms) and non-lethal deterrents to protect against dangerous animals.
Passengers will use the ship as a floating platform to enjoy the scenery of the area. Once or twice per day the passengers will disembark the ship by Zodiacs to go ashore in wilderness areas or communities. Alternatively, they may join a Zodiac cruise or participate in a kayaking activity.
All Zodiacs will be equipped with emergency/safety kits and will be paired with another Zodiac. If there is a plan to go ashore, a landing barrel full of emergency supplies will be placed at the landing site. At least 1 of the paired Zodiacs will have a firearm handler, who has completed all modules and levels of our internal accreditation courses. Helicopters will be equipped with emergency/safety kits, and will not land without a firearm bearer on board or already ashore. All staff, including the Zodiac drivers will have VHF radios to stay in contact with each other as well as the ship. However, nobody will go ashore if a bear is seen.
When cruising bird cliffs, all Zodiac drivers will follow AECO guidelines, CWS Guidelines for Seabird Viewing by Cruise Ships and CWS Guidelines for Visiting Seabird Colonies in Canada.
To prepare passengers for landings, printed AECO Guidelines are mailed to the passengers before leaving home. We review these general guidelines on ship before our first landing. In addition, prior to a particular landing or Zodiac cruise we always have two briefings, one on ship and one on shore or in the Zodiacs to explain the limits of the area and the guidelines for visiting a particular area (e.g. being quiet around bird cliffs).
If marine mammals are encountered by the ship or by Zodiac, we’ll follow the IAATO Marine Wildlife Watching Guidelines (Whales & Dolphins, Seals and Seabirds) For Vessel & Zodiac Operations. Quark is an American company so we are aware of and follow the US Marine Mammal Protection act. Additionally, we are aware of and follow the guideline document; NOAA Whale Watching and Viewing Other Marine Mammals in Alaska.

NORTH BAFFIN QUESTIONAIRE

s3.13.8: The applicant undertakes to prevent any new occurrences of pollution, garbage and contamination at the site of the development.

YES

Removal of Fuel Drums:

s3.13.8: The applicant undertakes to remove all drums safely from the site and dispose of the drums in a safe manner.

YES

New Site Restoration and Clean Up:

s3.13.1 and Appendix H, s1: The applicant undertakes to clean up the site and restore the site to its natural condition to the greatest extent possible.

YES

Old Site Restoration and Clean Up:

s3.13.2: The applicant undertakes to clean up the site and restore the site to its original condition to the greatest extent possible, including any work required due to the applicant's action prior to this application.

YES

Low-Level Air Flights:

Appendix H, s3: Will the applicant avoid all low-level flights?

YES

Caribou Protection Measures:

s3.3.7 and Appendix D: Will the applicant comply with the Caribou Protection Measures outlined in section 2.4.6 and in Appendix D?

YES

Caribou Water Crossings:

s3.3.7 and map: Will the applicant avoid, between may 15 and September 1, to construct any camp, cache any fuel or conduct any blasting within 10 km of any Designated Caribou Water Crossing identified

YES

Polar Bear Denning Areas and Walrus Haul-outs:

s3.3.8: Will the applicant keep its activities away from any polar bear denning area or walrus haul-out?

YES

HERITAGE RESOURCES

Reporting of Archaeological Sites:

s3.11.3 and Appendix H, s2 and s8: Will the applicant immediately report the discovery of all suspected archaeological sites to the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth (GN)?

YES

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